Understanding Low Emission Zones and Clean Air Zones
There are a lot of different zones popping up across the UK. I’m talking about the low-emission zones, ultra-low emission zones, congestion zones, and most prevalently, clean air zones. What do you know about them? Let’s take a look at the differences between Clean Air Zones VS Low Emission Zones and where they’re coming into place so you can prepare!
Clean Air Zones VS Low Emission Zones VS Ultra-Low Emission Zones VS Congestion Charge Zones!
Clean Air Zone – an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality. When a vehicle enters or moves through a clean air zone, the charge depends on the type of vehicle.
Low Emission Zone – a defined area where access by some polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred to improve air quality. Favours electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and low or non-polluting vehicles.
Ultra-Low Emission Zone – an area in London where a fee is charged for driving the most polluting vehicles. It covers all parts of the city within the North and South circular roads.
Congestion Charge – a fee charged on most cars and motor vehicles driven into the congestion charge zone in Central London. 7 AM – 6 PM (weekdays), 12 PM – 6 PM (weekends). The area is roughly equivalent to Zone 1 on the tube map. The congestion charge costs £15 a day if you drive within the zone on any day, except from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day. Find out more here.
Clean Air Zones
Now that’s cleared up, how much do you know about clean air zones? Is there one in your city? If there’s not one yet, there will be soon enough! The Government asked all local authorities to draft plans to implement a clean air zone. Although many authorities failed to make plans for their clean air zone, lots of cities are still bringing them in, such as Bath in March 2021 and Birmingham in June 2021. There are different categories for clean air zones, A, B, C, and D. An electric car will get you out of paying a fee for entering! The cost for entering the zone will typically cover you for the whole day, whether you enter and leave 1,000 times, you will mostly only pay one fee per day.
There are standards that must be met for each vehicle type to determine if they will be charged. Buses, coaches, and HGVs must meet Euro 6 standards. Vans, minibuses, taxis private hire cars and cars must meet Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol) standards. Motorcycles must meet Euro 3 standards.
Clean Air Zone Categories:
- A – Buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire taxis.
- B – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire taxis, and heavy goods vehicles.
- C – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire taxis, heavy goods vehicles, vans, and minibuses.
- D – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire taxis, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses, and cars – the local authority has the option to include motorcycles.
Which Cities Have What?
Bath – CAZ C – private cars and motorbikes are not charged in this CAZ but may be charged in other areas. HGVs – £100, Vans & Light Good Vehicles (LGVs) – £9.
Birmingham – CAZ D – non-compliance applies to all vehicle types. Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) – £50, Cars & LCVs – £8.
Bristol, introduced November 2022 – Small CAZ D – drivers can avoid the CAZ using plans outlined here. According to BBC – Cars, Taxis, Vans – £9. Buses, Coaches, Lorries – £100. See more about the Bristol Clean Air Zone here.
Bradford, introduced September 2022 – CAZ C – grants available to Bradford residents. Passenger cars and motorbikes are not charged in this CAZ but may be charged in other areas. HGVs, Buses, Coaches – £50. Minibus, LGVs – £9. Taxi, Private Hire, – £7. Expected Summer 2022.
Greater Manchester, currently on hold as they are working on a Clean Air Plan without the need for a CAZ. The initial plans: CAZ C – Buses, Coaches, HGVs – £60. Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) – £7.50. LGVs – £10 (temporary exemption until 2024).
Leicester – There was potential for CAZ around inner ring road charging taxis, buses, and coaches but not owners of vans or cars. Charges similar to Birmingham – Taxis – £8. Buses – £50 unless they meet Euro 6 standard. However, it was revealed that Leicester meets all clean air objectives, so a CAZ is not necessary.
Liverpool – Council has now moved away from a CAZ and is working out how to carry out its Clean Air Plan.
Newcastle, Gateshead, and North Tyneside – CAZ C – Now running in parts of Newcastle and Gateshead. Find the guidelines here.
Oxford, launched in February 2022 – Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) – Only zero-emission vehicles can enter this zone and not pay a fee. Initially in Oxford City Centre and is expanding later. Charges apply 7 AM – 7 PM every day of the year. Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) – £2. Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) – £4. All over vehicles – £10. Charges will double in August 2025.
Portsmouth, launched November 2021 – CAZ B – HGVs, Buses, Coaches – £50. PHVs – £10.
Scotland (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow), launched in early 2022 – Low Emission Zones, differs from CAZ: PCN payable by the vehicle’s registered keeper when a non-compliant vehicle enters.
Sheffield, launched February 2023 – CAZ C – Coaches, Buses, HGVs – £50. LGVs, Taxis – £10.
2023 London ULEZ
The Ultra-Low Emission Zone in London now covers all London boroughs, not including the M25. It launches officially on 29/08/2023 and operates all day every day, except Christmas Day. There are exemptions, which you can find here, and you can find charges to enter here
London’s Clean Air Zones: A Short History
That Was a LOT!
We hope this made understanding the differences between Clean Air Zones VS Low Emission Zones easier. If you’re venturing into one of these zones and your vehicle doesn’t meet the requirements, we have you covered! You can overcome fees and charges (and fines if you forget to pay them) simply by going electric! Check out our All You Need to Know guide below and see how Salary Sacrifice can benefit everyone!